Belgium: Citizens can invest in a fair agricultural cooperative
A first in Belgium: Cooperative Faircoop is now open to citizens, who can become cooperative members by buying shares. In a press conference held yesterday (October 22) in Brussels, Fairebel presented the conditions for this so-called COWfunding. Any citizen can invest between 50 and 500 euros in the Faircoop cooperative. Profits will be distributed in the form of coupons for Fairebel products. The goal is to give consumers a stake in the cooperative's capital and thus promote fair and responsible farming.
Further information on the Fairebel website
Switzerland: Demonstration for fair product prices (October 22)
Using cowbells and banners, farmers in Bern highlighted the fact that food producers - especially dairy farmers - are earning less and less. Farmer's association SAM (Swiss Agri Militant) has demanded that the partnership between milk producers and buyers be formalised in a contract, with clear information regarding volume and price of milk. The speakers stressed that the reference price of 68 centimes (62.60 cents) per kilogramme of milk must be maintained - though it fails to even cover production costs. The march was held under the motto "Stop the theft of agricultural products". The protest was supported by EMB member Uniterre.
Article Farmers appeal to policymakers with march in Bern (in German)
Article RTS Info (in French)
UK: "Milk for Farmers" goes on sale
British supermarket chain Morrisons has started selling a new brand of milk called "Morrisons Milk for Farmers". It is sold in a 4-pint (ca. 2.3-litre) plastic can and costs an extra 23 pence (ca. 31.30 cents), which is paid directly to farmers. In this way, farmers earn an extra 10 pence (ca. 13.60 cents) per litre. Consumers can choose between standard milk at 89 pence and "Milk for Farmers" at 1.12 pounds (ca. 1.52 euros) for a 4-pint can.
Morrisons introduced this new brand as a concession to milk producers following the numerous protests in summer. According to a study, fifty percent of consumers would be willing to pay more for milk and thus support dairy farmers.
Articles on the launch of "Milk for Farmers"
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/rural/farming/new-morrisons-milk-brand-pays-farmers-more-1-7509312
www.thedairysite.com/news/48715/morrisons-launches-milk-for-farmers-brand/
www.talkingretail.com/category-news/supermarket/morrisons-launches-milk-farmers-milk-brand/
Spain: more protests announced
Our Spanish member organisation OPL has announced continued protests in November, if the Spanish government does not oblige industry and traders to implement the measures of the "Milk Agreement". According to OPL, the announced increase in price has not yet been implemented.
OPL denounces the sector's lethargy and lack of progress with respect to the agreement and has called on milk producers to continue to apply pressure with further actions from November 5 onwards.
Germany: Warning strikes by dairy employees gain ground
Trade unions from Bavarian dairies in Germany are on strike due to tariff disputes regarding pay rises. Trade union Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG) is demanding an increase in the agreed old-age pension and a systematic additional 150 euros for all employees. After these demands were rejected in the first round of negotiations at the end of September, the pressure on employers is to be increased through strikes in the lead-up to the next round of negotiations on October 29. Trade unionists have called for strikes and demonstrations all over Bavaria. According to the NGG, the sector is doing very well economically and at 6.4 per cent, labour costs account for a fraction of turnover. With an annual turnover of over 10 billion euros and 14,000 employees, dairy is one of the largest sectors of the Bavarian food industry.
The dairy farmers of AbL have expressed their solidarity with the dairy employees and their demands. "It is about fair payment for milk and work," said federal vice president of AbL and dairy farmer Ottmar Ilchmann.
Article Bauernstimme (in German)
